EXECUTIVE ORDER 05-14

WHEREAS, traffic and motor vehicle crashes cause numerous
personal injuries and fatalities, as well as extensive property
damage; and

WHEREAS, according to the National Traffic Safety Administration
(NTSA), an average of 135 people die annually in school transportation
related crashes, including an average of 22 school-age children
fatalities per year; and

WHEREAS, according to traffic crash reports, nearly four school
bus crashes a day occur in Missouri; and

WHEREAS, a fatal school bus crash occurred on May 12, 2005
in Liberty, Missouri, killing two people and injuring several
students, sending two to the hospital; and

WHEREAS, also on May 12, 2005, a train struck a school bus
from the Wentzville School District during a field trip to
Hannibal, causing minor injuries to some of the 37 people aboard
the bus; and

WHEREAS, the safety of school children who ride school buses
must be a top priority of both state and local government officials.

NOW THEREFORE, 1, Matt Blunt, Governor of Missouri, by virtue
and authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of
the State of Missouri, do hereby create and establish the Missouri
School Bus Safety Task Force.

The Task Force shall consist of nine (9) members appointed
by the Governor. The Governor shall designate one (1) member
to serve as chair. All members shall serve at the pleasure
of the Governor.

Members of the Task Force shall receive no compensation for
their service to the people of Missouri but may seek reimbursement
for their reasonable and necessary expenses incurred as members
of the Task Force, in accordance with the rules and regulations
of the Office of Administration, to the extent that funds are
available for such purpose.

The Task Force is assigned for administrative purposes to
the Missouri Department of Transportation. The Director of
the Missouri Department of Transportation shall be available
to assist the Task Force as necessary, and shall provide the
Task Force with any staff assistance the Task Force may require
from time to time.

The Task Force shall meet at the call of its Chair, and the
Chair shall call the first meeting of the Task Force as soon
as possible.

The Task Force shall evaluate and make initial recommendations
to me by August 15, 2005 on the following topics:

Developing strategies for improving school bus safety,
including, but not limited to, programs or laws that have
proven effective to reduce the incidents of school transportation-related
accidents;

Analyzing current state and federal laws and programs governing
school bus safety and recommending any changes that would
enhance the effectiveness of these laws or programs;

Reviewing whether requiring seat belts in school buses
would prove effective in reducing fatalities and injuries
in school transportation-related accidents;

Recommending specific school bus safety legislation for
possible consideration by the Missouri General Assembly;
and

Recommending best practices or policies that could be implemented
by state or local governments that would enhance school bus
safety.

The Task Force shall prepare a final report and submit it
to me by December 31, 2005. The Task Force shall expire on
December 31, 2005.

IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to
be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the
City of Jefferson, on this 17th day of May, 2005.